The NBA is one of the most significant sporting leagues in the world, a certifiable billion-dollar empire. With teams comfortably valued in the billions, the NBA also makes the matches a spectacle far beyond the product on the hardwood floor.
Whether it is audience participation or challenges, keeping the energy high in the building is necessary in the league. However, the onus of that job falls on the home team’s mascot more than any one individual. As a result, they bag a nifty cheque.
Today, we break down exactly how well NBA mascots are paid.
How Much Do NBA Mascots Make?
The average NBA mascot makes close to $65,000 a year. A nifty sum of money for the entertainers in the arena, the mascots ensure the crowd’s energy is high. Between acrobats, comical sketches, and general hype, they have one of the most challenging jobs in the entire organization.
However, the scale for a mascot’s salary can vary greatly. While the average remains relatively constant, the higher-end numbers are incredibly high.
Top 5 Highest Paid NBA Mascots
- Denver Nuggets – Rocky the Mountain Lion, $625,000
- Atlanta Hawks – Harry the Hawk, $600,000
- Chicago Bulls – Benny the Bull, $400,000
- Phoenix Suns – Go the Gorilla, $200,000
- Charlotte Hornets – Hugo the Hornet, $100,000
Do All NBA Teams Have a Mascot?
This might surprise many fans of the sport, but not every team in the league has a mascot. The three biggest markets in the league, Los Angeles, New York, and Golden State, don’t have mascots for their primary teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, and the Brooklyn Nets are the four NBA franchises without a mascot.
On the other hand, some teams, like the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls, for instance, have more than one mascot assigned to their games.
Who Are the NBA Mascots?
Eastern Conference Mascots
- Atlanta Hawks – Harry the Hawk
- Boston Celtics – Lucky the Leprechaun
- Charlotte Hornets – Hugo the Hornet, Super Hugo
- Chicago Bulls – Benny the Bull, Mini Benny, Big Ben, Benji, Mama Betty, Inflatabulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Moondog and Sir CC
- Detroit Pistons – Hooper, Mini Hooper
- Indiana Pacers – Boomer, Mini Boomer
- Miami Heat – Burnie
- Milwaukee Bucks – Bango (the Buck), Bango Jr.
- Orlando Magic – Stuff the Magic Dragon
- Philadelphia 76ers – Franklin
- Toronto Raptors – The Raptors
- Washington Wizards – G-Wiz, G-Man
Western Conference Mascots
- Dallas Mavericks – Champ and Mavs Man
- Denver Nuggets – Rocky the Mountain Lion
- Houston Rockets – Clutch the Bear, Mini Clutch
- Los Angeles Clippers – Chuck the Condor
- Memphis Grizzlies – Grizz
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Crunch the Wolf
- New Orleans Pelicans – Pierre the Pelican, King Cake Baby
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Rumble the Bison
- Phoenix Suns – The Gorilla
- Portland Trailblazers – Blaze the Trail Cat, Douglas Fur
- Sacramento Kings – Slamson the Lion
- San Antonio Spurs – Coyote
- Utah Jazz – Jazz Bear, Lil Bear
Have NBA Teams Changed Mascots?
Yes, many teams have changed their mascots over the years. 19 of the 30 teams have undergone a mascot change in their lifetime.
Moreover, two teams that do not have mascots anymore, the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors, did once have BrooklyKnight and Thunder, Berserker, as their mascots, respectively.
NBA Mascot of the Year
Since the 2005 season, the NBA has announced an official mascot of the year every season. The Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz hold the record for most victories with three apiece. The Phoenix Suns’ Gorilla is the reigning champion.
